Jorge Vergara wants new coach

Mexico national team coach Victor Manuel Vucetich said he continues to prepare El Tri for its 2014 World Cup qualifying international playoff first leg vs. New Zealand at Estadio Azteca on Nov. 13, despite the widespread criticism and growing call for yet another El Tri coaching change.

"Our fans have always supported us, it is on the team to have the answer on the pitch. This is a great opportunity to reverse the situation and convince the fans that we need them and their support," Vucetich told Univision.

But outspoken Chivas owner Jorge Vergara, who wields power as key member of the 12-club owners’ association called for Vucetich’s head on Wednesday and encouraged the Mexican soccer federation to consider Club Americas coach Miguel "El Piojo" Herrera.

"A coaching change is necessary," Vergara said Wednesday. "The coach of El Tri must be someone who wears the pants and has the will to decide. We are working on this. It could be Miguel Herrera because he is showing he has strong character. To choose a new coach first we all have to agree."

In September during the heat of CONCACAF Hexagonal qualifying, Mexico changed coaches three times in one week. The federation appointed Vucetich after interim coach Luis Fernando Tena skippered a heartbreaking 2-0 loss to the United States. Tena coached just that one match. He had been named to replace beleaguered coach Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre, who was axed after the team’s 2-1 home loss to Honduras.

El Tri has qualified for five straight World Cups, last missing out in 1990, when the team was banned from qualifying for using ineligible players in a junior tournament. The last time Mexico participated in qualifying and did not reach the World Cup was 1982.